6
1040 Words
I tried to speak, but my mouth refused to cooperate. My throat felt tight and my chest hurt as I stared at the shattered pieces of the bottle scattered across the marble floor. The dark red wine spread across the white tiles like blood, making the scene look even worse.
I knew I could never afford a bottle like that. Not even if I spent the rest of my life saving every penny I earned. More importantly, I couldn’t afford to lose this job.
Not when my mother’s treatment depended on it.
The thought alone made panic rush through me.
Before I could stop myself, I dropped to my knees.
Tears blurred my vision almost instantly.
“Please, sir,” I begged, my voice breaking. “It was an accident. I… I didn’t do this on purpose.” I said with a shaky voice.
I hated how pathetic I sounded. I hated crying in front of them. They didn’t deserve my tears. But fear had completely swallowed my pride.
Aidan stood a few feet away, his tall frame casting a shadow across the floor. His face remained cold and unreadable. The icy look in his eyes only made my fear worse. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking, and somehow that terrified me more than if he had shouted.
Beside him, Vanessa looked far too pleased.
She folded her arms and shook her head dramatically.
“I knew this would happen,” she said with a disappointed sigh. “I told you she wasn’t ready for a job like this.”
My fingers curled against the floor.
Every word out of her mouth felt like another knife.
“I’ve been trying to be patient with her,” Vanessa continued. “But she’s careless. First at the café, now here.”
My head snapped up.
The accusation burned.
She knew exactly what had happened.
She knew because she had caused it.
I could still see the image clearly in my head. Her heel pinning down my apron string. The sudden pull. The bottle slipping from my hands. The smile on her face before she pretended to be shocked.
For one brief moment, anger pushed through my fear.
I wanted to tell Aidan the truth.
I wanted to point at Vanessa and expose her.
But what proof did I have?
None.
Absolutely none.
Who would believe a maid over Vanessa Sinclair?
The answer was obvious.
No one.
My courage disappeared as quickly as it came.
Aidan’s gaze settled on me.
“Look at me.”
His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried enough authority to make my stomach twist.
Slowly, I lifted my head.
My cheeks were wet with tears.
For a few seconds, he simply stared at me.
His eyes moved over my face as though he was searching for something.
A lie.
The truth.
I didn’t know.
“You said it was an accident,” he said, his voice was deep enough to make a chill run through my spine.
“Yes, sir.” I answered.
“Then tell me exactly what happened.”
The question caught me off guard.
My heart began pounding loudly.
I had expected him to fire me immediately.
Not ask questions.
I opened my mouth, then froze.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Vanessa.
She wasn’t smiling anymore.
Her expression had changed.
The warning in her eyes was unmistakable.
Don’t do it.
Don’t say a word.
A chill ran through me.
I knew she meant it.
If I accused her and failed, my life in this penthouse would become a nightmare. I probably would even lose my job this instant .
Or maybe even worse than that. But what could be worse than losing this job? I can’t think of anything.
The silence stretched painfully.
Aidan waited for me to answer him and
Vanessa waited for me to hear what I was going to say.
The entire room seemed to hold its breath.
“I…” My voice shook. “I was bringing the bottle upstairs and—”
“And she dropped it,” Vanessa interrupted smoothly.
She stepped forward and placed a hand on Aidan’s arm.
“It was an accident. Let’s not make a bigger issue out of it than necessary.” Vanessa said in a velvety voice and the surprise on my face was obvious. She is definitely toying with me at this point.
For the first time, Aidan looked at her.
Only for a second.
Then his gaze returned to me.
And somehow that made me even more nervous.
Because he still looked unconvinced.
Before anyone could say another word, his phone suddenly rang.
The sound shattered the tension in the room.
Aidan glanced at the screen.
His expression immediately hardened.
He answered without looking away from me.
“Hello grandfather.”
The room fell silent.
I watched as he listened on the phone.
The longer the call lasted, the darker his expression became.
Even Vanessa seemed curious now.
When the call finally ended, Aidan lowered the phone slowly.
“What happened?” Vanessa asked.
A strange smile appeared on her face.
Almost excited.
Aidan’s jaw tightened.
“My grandfather wants us at the estate tonight.”
Vanessa’s smile widened.
“Tonight?”
“Yes.”
“And why exactly is that a problem. You don’t look too excited.”
Aidan looked at her for a long moment.
Then he said quietly,
“Because he plans to announce our wedding date to the entire media today.”
The room went silent. Vanessa looked thrilled.
But my heart dropped straight into my stomach.
Because for some reason, Vanessa will torment me in this house when they finally become married.
“That’s wonderful!” She exclaimed.
Alexander didn’t say anything more to her. He just nodded.
“Clean this up. And be more careful around here, Maya. You can’t keep breaking things worth thousands in this house.” He said coolly. His eyes were piercing through me and I almost lost total control of myself.
“Yes, sir.” I said, grateful that I still have my job.
Aidan walked out of the room.
“This is only the beginning.” Vanessa whispered to me and followed Aidan out.
- Writer
